Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general elections, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has backed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, on his demolition of buildings and monuments in the state metropolis.
He said the demolition of properties situated around schools and mosques, among others, was aimed at restoring the city’s master plan and speeding up the development in the state.
“What we have on our agenda is development, not destruction, as many call it. And these demolitions did not start recently; we have said it in our campaigns since 2019. We have said that any governor who erects illegal structures in schools or around mosques will be reversed.
He said: “If you check, you will see that the demolitions are in five places. No law stipulates that you demolish a university and build shops.”
On speculation that he is the controller of the new governor, he said: “People are just wasting their time; what the poor want is to see things on the ground. Whether you are the one doing it or someone else.
“We are a team. All these issues that are raised are because of jealousy and hatred by the opposition, many of whom have made the mistake of leaving us. Ganduje has left us; has he succeeded?” he questioned.
Answering questions on whether the demolition will focus only on the lands allocated by the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, Kwankwaso said:
“I served for eight years. I never allocated land to anybody of such a nature in any secondary or primary school.
“We only allocated land for the establishment of cities like Kwankwasiyya, Bandirawo, and Ibrahim Kunya. Layouts were found, and cities were developed.
“We paid compensation during my tenure, and a lot of people were excited as we doubled the amount 10 times.”
Kwankwaso, reacting to the allegation that some plots of the land around Kofar Famfo were allocated by him, said: “I have never allocated any land to anyone in those areas. Whose response will you accept? Mine or those alleging?
“The records are there. I have never given land to anyone around the city wall, school, or hospital and none of the structures is mine.”
Meanwhile, despite the public cry, Governor Kabir Yusuf has said he doesn’t regret his demolition of some buildings and public monuments.
Yusuf spoke at the weekend during a visit by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, in company of district heads and other members of the Emirate Council, at the Government House as part of Eid Kabir celebration.
The governor said demolition and recovery of some public properties that were illegally acquired and distributed to “sacred cows by the immediate past administration” was in the interest of Kano people.
“Your highness, it is important for the Emirate Council to note that we embarked on the demolition to bring back public properties that were illegally acquired and we will ensure that all such properties are restored back in the interest of the people of Kano,” the governor said.
Yusuf praised the Emir and members of the Emirate Council for the visit which is the first since his assumption of duty on May 29. He enumerated the achievements of his administration as the payment of the National Examination Council (NECO) fees for 55,000 secondary schools pupils, amounting to N1.5 billion, restored street lights and minimised cases of phone snatching in Kano metropolis.
Yusuf, in a statement by his spokesman, Hisham Habib, listed other achievements to include resumption of screening for the award of foreign scholarship for Kano indigenes with first class degrees, prompt payment of salaries and pension and evacuation of thousands of tons of refuse in the metropolis.